You’d think someone with a Hollywood background would feel right at home on stage.
But for Meghan Markle, the spotlight seems a little more awkward these days—especially when she’s standing next to Prince Harry at high-profile public events.
Despite spending years as an actress on the hit series Suits, Meghan’s recent polo appearances have left many observers wondering if her comfort on stage fades when the cameras are pointed at her in royal settings rather than scripted roles.
When the Trophy Takes the Spotlight—and Meghan Gets Squeezed Out
Let’s rewind to May 2022 at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.
Prince Harry’s team, Los Padres, had just taken home the trophy.
Meghan was there to help hand it over—but the handoff turned into a bit of a spectacle.
As the team tried to lift the hefty silver cup for photos, Meghan got caught in the shuffle—literally wedged between her husband and a teenage player, holding onto her wide-brimmed hat as the trophy hovered overhead.
After an awkward moment in the shadows, Meghan stepped forward, reclaiming her spot front and center for the final photo.
“She Wants to Be the Star,” Says Her Estranged Father
That moment seemed to reflect a familiar pattern, at least according to Thomas Markle, Meghan’s estranged father.
He’s long said his daughter loves the spotlight and always wanted to be a star—on stage and in life.
Even body language expert Judi James noticed Meghan’s instincts to direct the scene, noting how she politely bounced into place when guided, but also gently nudged players and gestured Harry forward as if trying to manage the flow.
James observed Meghan trying to take a box—possibly Champagne—from another player, who resisted handing it over.
While the act may have been well-intentioned, the expert said it showed Meghan’s natural tendency to take control in group settings.
A Second Round of Awkward at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge
Fast forward to April 2024, and a similar scene unfolded—this time in Florida, during a Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefiting Sentebale, a charity Harry co-founded.
Meghan’s entrance at this event was unplanned, and it showed.
According to body language analysts, and now viral clips, Meghan once again found herself in the middle of a chaotic trophy presentation.
This time, the stage was already packed, and when Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chair of the charity, walked up to join the photo, things got even more cramped.
Meghan Allegedly Rearranged the Lineup Mid-Photo
The footage shows Meghan subtly signaling to move Dr. Chandauka away from Harry, making space for herself in the middle.
It was a quiet exchange—but not unnoticed. Meghan appeared to direct the stage lineup, and eventually, the charity chair had to duck under the trophy to squeeze into the spot.
While the group eventually smiled for a friendly pose, the video reignited criticism of Meghan’s tendency to dominate moments that aren’t necessarily about her.
Dr. Chandauka Opens Up About the “Chaotic” Experience
In a revealing interview with Sky News, Dr. Chandauka spoke out about the event and Meghan’s surprise appearance.
She claimed Meghan had initially RSVP’d no—but then showed up last minute, bringing none other than Serena Williams and a Netflix film crew with her.
That unexpected appearance, according to Dr. Chandauka, caused disruption on an already-crowded stage.
She told Sky’s Trevor Phillips,
“We would’ve been excited had we known ahead of time Meghan was coming.
But we didn’t. So the choreography went badly… There was a lot of talk about whether she should’ve been there and how she treated me.”
She also revealed that Prince Harry asked her to release a public statement in support of Meghan. But she declined, explaining,
“We cannot be an extension of the Sussexes.”
The Public Debate: Stage Management or Overstepping?
Clips of Meghan redirecting Dr. Chandauka—asking her to move twice so she could be next to Harry—have now been viewed millions of times online.
And like many things involving the Sussexes, reactions are split.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams described the moment as “awkward,” noting the confusion Meghan’s arrival caused.
Judi James added that Meghan’s desire to lead, shaped by her acting and childhood experiences, may clash with the reality of shared-stage dynamics—especially in group events tied to causes.
Is the Stage Meghan’s Comfort Zone—or a Complicated One?
While Meghan once thrived on stage in her acting days, these polo moments suggest that the real-life stage, particularly in royal or philanthropic contexts, presents a different challenge.
Here, it’s less about leading the scene and more about fitting into a shared spotlight.
And that’s where things seem to get a little murky.